Best full-backs of the last decade

The full back is a frequently passed over position in terms of importance due to it not forming part of the central 'spine' of a team.

But some of the most influential and best players in world football have been left or right-backs.

Here we take a look at the best full backs to grace the game in the last decade. These players are being honoured for both their defensive ability and attacking flair. All on the list below have also performed at the top level consistently for long periods of time.

7. Ashley Cole

The former Arsenal youth product has become one of the best defenders of his generation and has been a model of consistency throughout his years with both the English national team (101 caps) and also with his two clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea.

He holds the records of being England's most-capped full back and the man with the most FA Cup winners medals, with seven. He is an attackingly minded player but the defensive elements of his game are still at a very high standard.

6. Sergio Ramos

Although he has now been moved infield to play at centre back, Ramos was consistently superb at right-back throughout his current stint at Real Madrid where he showed a goal-scoring ability unbeknown to most modern full backs, scoring 20 goals in his first four seasons in the Spanish capital.

Since his record-breaking move from Sevilla to Madrid in 2005, Ramos has won a World Cup, two European Championships, three La Liga titles, a Copa Del Rey and not to mention garnered 101 caps for Spain, despite only being 27. The future still looks golden for the 2012 La Liga Best Defender award-winner.

5. Javier Zanetti

Zanetti is perhaps the only truly great full back ever to be produced in Argentina and his caps record for the Albicelestes certainly reflects his consistency.

He is the all time leading appearance maker with 145 caps and he has made 600 Serie A appearances, the most for a Non-Italian and the most in Inter Milan’s history. With a career spanning 22 years that shows no signs of ending, consistent brilliance on the right flank, and undying passion for his club of 18 years, Zanetti has to form part of this list.

4. Roberto Carlos

An iconic player due to his incredible overlapping runs on the left flank for Madrid and his remarkable banana free kicks. His powers in the attacking side of his game place him at the head of this list, but his occasional defensive mishaps place him in third. One of the Brazilian legends, he accumulated an incredible haul of 125 caps for his country and during an 11 year spell at Real Madrid he won three Champions League titles, a World Cup and four La Liga titles.

3. Cafu

The man that captained Brazil to 2002 World Cup glory, Cafu is truly one of the all-time great defenders. He is Brazils most capped player and unlike most other South American full backs, he showed incredible defensive capability and combined this effortlessly with his main attributes, those of attack. His speed and crossing ability were second to very few and he essentially was a second winger of sorts for both club and country. He is the only man to play in three World Cup finals.

2.Lilian Thuram

Although he originally played at centre-back, it was at right back where Thuram really reached his prime. He has been rated as the best French defender of all time and this seems justified when one looks at his career history. He is the most capped player in French international history and played for Juventus for five years as a part of perhaps one of the greatest and most-feared defensive units of all time. He won a World Cup in 1998 and a European Championships in 2000.

1. Paulo Maldini

The man who defines AC Milan. He made 647 league appearances for the club that his father also played for and in that time won the Champions League an incredible five times, Serie A seven times and one Coppa Italia title.

He won 125 caps for his country, Italy, and played in four World Cups. He is renowned for his two-footedness, his defensive consistency and vision. With a career spanning 25 years and numerous personal and team awards, there is surely no better man to head this list.

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeFootball Writing Academy and does not represent the views of GiveMeFootball.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article. GiveMeFootball.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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